The Bastard's Tale: 5

I've read almost all of the Dame Frevisse books by Margaret Frazer. They began as simple historical mysteries but have really moved into a different genre. The first few books were actually written by two people, one with the head for mysteries and the other with a passion for life in 14th Century Britain. The first author has dropped out of the equation and the novels are now entirely penned by Gail Frazer, the history buff, and it's definitely beginning to show. Freed from having to essentially write the books by committee, she really seems to have taken the project to heart and for the last few books, has been moving away from the traditional framework of a simple whodunit to concentrate on her real area of interest: the intrigues and machinations surrounding the court of Henry VI. In the Bastard's Tale she makes the break complete, most noticably with the total absence of a true murder in the traditional narrative sense. It is still a puzzling and exciting read with a wealth of stunning historical detail, but unfortunately Dame Frevisse's reasons for being in such exhalted company in the first place are starting to wear a little thin. Nonetheless her character remains as uncompromising and stoically endearing as ever, and the astute reader will enjoy continuing the series simply for the joy of watching Gail Frazer evolve from her artistic infancy as a ghostwriter of pulp mysteries to an impressive novelist in her own right.

This is very much a historical novel, as there really is no murder and murderer to be found. I found that the book had somewhat of a slow start, but most historical novels suffer from this problem since the author needs to build his/her character base and lay the groundwork for the unfolding of the story. In this book Dame Frevisse and Dame Pepetua are sent to a meeting of parliament as a request of the Bishop. He wants Dame Frevisse to listen and learn about the many political intrigues that are going on in this emergency scheduled calling of parliament. Right away Dame Frevisse is in the middle of all the political unrests, secrets and plots and counterplots that surround King Henry VI and his uncle the Duke of Gloucester. She finds that her brother-in-law, the Duke of Suffolk is in the middle of this, and is in fact the cause of the problems, so she must deal with her sister's concerns about her husband as well as try to thwart a truly evil plot that Suffolk has hatched. This will become the biggest challenge of her career, and will in fact destroy her reputation (a thing that a nun does not take lightly). Ms. Frazer is a very good writer, and this book is well-researched, but it was not what I was expecting since I wanted a medieval mystery. I personally didn't really enjoy the story as I've read many historical mysteries about this time, and really wasn't wanting to read another about the maelstrom that surrounds an early English king's throne, but I've given it 4 stars since it is so well-written, and well-researched. Be aware if you read it that this is not a mystery novel.

I've read and liked all of Margaret Frazier's books, but this one is special. I'm not going to discuss the plot except to say that the last few chapters kept me reading into the night; one in particular I read over and over, heart in mouth. This outstanding book is reminiscent of Edith Pargeter's (AKA Ellis Peters, of Brother Cadfael fame) series The Heaven Tree, the Green Branch, and The Scarlet Seed--and higher praise I cannot give.

This is one of Margaret Frazer's best featuring Dame Frevisse. A well-plotted, well-written and well-edited book that puts you right into Medieval times along with Henry VI and the famous and infamous of history. Although I have read each entry in this series, I don't believe it is necessary to have read them to enjoy this one. In this tale, we meet again a character we've been intrigued by in other tales, Joliffe. He warns the nun to be careful with her sharp tongue that she not cut herself, but Frevisse is sharp all the way through, a thinker and observer and a true help to her cousin, Alice married to Suffolk. The story is smoothly plotted and filled with people you can care about, that you can be interested in, and that is Margaret Frazer's strength as an author. The mystery is not the focus of the story, but the people and the times are. I was sorry to see the story end. And I hope I will see more of Dame Frevisse and Joliffe in the future, preferably sooner rather than later.

In 1447 England, King Henry VI sits upon the throne but is unduly influenced by his closest councilor the Marquis of Suffolk. The Marquis has seen to it that the king's heir, his uncle the Duke of Gloucester, is looked upon with distrust and suspicion. At Bury St. Edmonds, the king, his lords and the parliament attend a council meeting. An invitation is sent to Gloucester hinting that if he attends his wife will be released from prison.Suffolk's wife Alice is a cousin and close friend to Dame Frevisse who is very happy to live in St. Frideswide's Nunnery away from the worldly cares of corrupt men. When Frevisse is asked to go to Bury St. Edmonds to spy for Bishop Beaufort of Winchester she accepts because she wants the priory to have the property the Bishop is willing to give in return for her services. When she arrives at the site of the gathering, she becomes so involved in political affairs of the realm that she lies and perjures herself to save the live of Gloucester's illegitimate son and four of his trusted companions.The heroine of THE BASTARD'S TALE makes a life long enemy of her cousin's husband the Marquis of Suffolk and risks an estrangement with her cousin Alice in order to prevent the death of innocents. It is obvious that Margaret Frazer has done meticulous research on the events that take place in this book so that the readers have a feel the era and an understanding of how such injustices can occur. Fans of medieval mysteries will relish the latest entry in this Edgar nominated series.Harriet Klausner